My Mormon Third Eye: I See... Being Brave

Sunday, July 22, 2012

I See... Being Brave

The Mormon Third Eye rarely recommends movie messages because, with few exceptions , it sees so little of the redeeming values that a medium as powerful as the cinema should promote. Disney’s latest offering however, entitled “Brave,” deserves another look because it sees the concept of “bravery” as the Mormon Third Eye views it: summoning the courage to leave your comfort zone and truly, selflessly listen to others around you.

“Brave” pretends to seduce viewers into accepting a traditional definition of bravery with several interwoven plot lines about proud, strong men fighting for honor and family. The token heroes battle evil in the form of dark, monstrous bears that threaten life and limb. They slay beasts to protect their families. Pretty brave, right? Not likely. The real tale of bravery involves a strong-willed teenage girl who is brave enough to swallow her pride and mend a broken relationship with an equally stubborn but well-intentioned mother. I’m not ashamed to say that the message of this movie brought me to tears, but I’m not going to say why; I have my reasons.

From this perspective stirring stories of real bravery buried beneath various verses of the Book of Mormon rise to prominence. Instead Captain Moroni leading battles against bloodthirsty Lamanites, you have one of King Noah’s wicked priests, Alma, listening to Abinadi’s gospel preaching with a soft heart. Instead of General Teancum slaying Lamanite generals, there is King Lamoni’s father, who, after listening to Aaron’s persuasive account of the Plan of Redemption, responds with “O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.” Nephi showed more bravery listening to the Spirit directing him kill Laban and build a ship than he did battling his bad brothers.

I highly recommend this new view of bravery. Try humbly listening to others and see what happens.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

The Mormon Third Eye Quote of the Week

"As men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church. But we must be men that women can trust, that children can trust, and that God can trust. In the Church and kingdom of God in these latter days, we cannot afford to have boys and men who are drifting. We cannot afford young men who lack self-discipline and live only to be entertained. We cannot afford young adult men who are going nowhere in life, who are not serious about forming families and making a real contribution in this world. We cannot afford husbands and fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership in the home."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Priesthood Session Conference, October 2012

Why My Mormon Third Eye?

When I politely excused myself in the middle of dinner to make a bathroom stop, how did Mom know that I had uneaten peas in my pocket to flush down the toilet? When I came home late from a youth dance and slid quietly into bed to avoid waking parental units, how did Dad know, without looking at the car, that I smashed in the front bumper? When I watch my daughter play a video game, how do I know that she's not ready for her Geometry final?

Its the Third Eye. The notorious eye in the back of the head, the extra view of life that God blesses parents striving to do the right thing so they can see more of life than the children they chase after.

Our third eye also permits us to see things and feel emotions that are too refined, too far on the edge of our standard two-eyed peripheral vision to enjoy in its fullness. I've learned that I have a Mormon Third Eye; that is, as a life-long, fully-dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have unique perspective on how the doctrines of the gospel and the demands of my faith in them intersect every other part of my mortal existence to create the entertaining, self-deprecating kaleidoscope of my life.

So... for those of you bold and bored enough to read this far, every so often I'll be sharing here what my Mormon third eye sees. Third eyes are relatively huge; they see the humorous, the entertaining, the embarrassing, the beautiful, the inspirational, and even the moral and political; however, they tend to ignore the evil, depressing and destructive: there is enough of that in world already!

The Four Secrets to Successful Living

Always Go Where There is Free Food - This includes ward and work parties, wedding receptions and missionary open houses; the money you spend to buy the ingredients for the world-famous triple chocolate cake you bring doesn’t count.
Never Pay Full Price for Anything – See my posts on Black Friday escapades for more information on this.
Never, Ever Press the Red Button - Usually, if you are faced with a red button somewhere, don’t press it – it usually means trouble. For example, the red button launches the missiles. Do yourself a favor and don’t press it.
Any Problem You Face Can Be Solved With Bungee Cords and Duct Tape - Bungee cord and duct tape technology has saved many marriages and ward parties. I’m not just talking about problems with plumbing or keeping groceries from bouncing around the trunk; I know of relationship and family issues that have been solved with creative applications of these two substances.